Choose the phrasal verb that can best replace the underlined phrase in the given sentence:
While clearing Nani’s old tin trunk, Riya found by chance a bundle of letters her grandfather had written from the border.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → stumbled upon
A phrasal verb is a verb joined with a small word such as up, out or together. The two words together have a new meaning.
Found by chance means came across something without looking for it. Its closest meaning is stumbled upon. Example: Arjun found a hundred-rupee note by chance in his old jeans.
| Phrasal verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| (1) stumbled upon (answer) | to find something by chance, without planning to (same as found by chance) | While surfing the net, Meena stumbled upon a free course on coding. |
| (2) dug up | to find hidden facts by searching hard for them | The reporter dug up old court papers about the land deal. |
| (3) sorted out | to arrange things in order, or to solve a problem | Ma sorted out the winter clothes on Sunday. |
| (4) picked out | to choose one person or thing from a group | The jeweller asked Didi to pick out one design for the wedding. |